First impressions of the Clinique Facial Soap

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I recently got the Clinique Facial Soap. I think you need to use these products for a while before you can form a really good impression of them, but after using it for a couple of days at least, I already have a first impression of the product.

I have to say the smell of the soap is a bit too clinical for my taste, it reminds me of things used in a hospital. Since I haven't tried many other Clinique beauty products, I don't know if this is something that is common when it comes to their products, but at least this soap has a very clinical smell.

On a positive note, however, I would have to say that you only need to use very little of the soap to clean your whole face, so I think this is a product that will last for a long time.

So far, I haven't had any amazing results, but like I mentioned in my previous post, I didn't get the whole skin care routine, so it could be that I am missing out because of that, hard to say.

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Impulse buy from the pharmacy: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap

I went to the pharmacy today, not really to get beauty products, but my local pharmacy happens to have a really good assortment of beauty products as well, so of course I had to take a look at some of their special deals.
And one of the deals they had this time was actually for a product I have been wanting to try for a while now: The Clinique Liquid Facial Soap. My friend has this soap, and swears by it, so I have heard many good things about it.

I have tried Clinique make up before (I love their lip products in particular!) but I am not very familiar with their skin care line, so I am really looking forward to seeing what this soap is like. I know that you are supposed to get the whole skin care line at once, but the pharmacy did not have the moisturizer, so I am starting out with the soap first. (I have other tones and moisturizers that I can combine it with anyway)

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives

Nordstrom's annual Anniversary Sale is in full swing. Have you seen their Beauty Exclusives? They are off the chain! If you haven't had an opportunity yet to shop the sale (hurry...sale ends July 31), allow me to play personal shopper and make some recommendations.

Deborah Lippmann Get This Party Started Set, $42 ($58 value)
How could you NOT add this polish trio to your wish list? Get This Party Started is a set of three glitters, inspired by the overwhelming demand for Deborah Lippmann's best-selling Happy Birthday, a party in a bottle. The set includes Happy Birthday, along with two new variations of the glittery shade: Forget You, with a black base, and Candy Shop, with a bubblegum-pink base.

Bobbi Brown Bobbi Beauty Favorites, $80 ($160 value)
This set is a must-have for you beauties who love Bobbi Brown. It includes the Beach Shimmer Brick, Face Blender Brush, Full Size Extreme Party Mascara, Black Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush, Shimmer Lip Gloss in Rose Gold and Creamy Lip Color in Toffee.

MAC Cine-Matics 'On-Screen' Pro Palette Eyeshadow Duo, $25 ($29 value)
I don't know any beauty lover who doesn't LOVE MAC eye shadows. These eight daring pairings are housed in an ultra-slim, stackable, easy-to-use palette. Great for your makeup kit and for travel.

MAC Cine-Matics 'Smoky Black' Makeup Lesson, $49.50 ($105 value)
Define the ultimate smoky eye with three sensational shadows - Carbon (M), Ambience (VP) and Bisque (M)—Zoom Lash Mascara in Zoomblack (0.14 oz.) and Technakohl Liner in Graphblack, a 275 SE Brush to smudge, a 212 SE to blend and step-by-step instructions. This kit is an incredible value and, I recommend you snatch it up immediately. Also available in Smoky Brown.

L'Occitane 'Shea Home & Away' Collection, $25 ($36 value)
Shea Butter Hand Cream is the #1 international best-seller from L'Occitane, and one of my personal favorites. Enriched with 20% shea butter, this super-creamy hand balm quickly penetrates to protect, nourish and regenerate dry skin. The scent is light, yet intoxicating. Smooth even the most hard-working hands with a blend of nourishing ingredients including almond oil, honey, coconut oil and antioxidant vitamin E. Keep the 5.2 oz. tube on your vanity at home and stash the 1 oz. tube in your purse so you're never without this little luxury.

MOR Essentials Hand & Body Lotion, $9.90 ($18 value)
Before the Anniversary Sale started, I was provided with an advance sample of MOR Hand & Body Lotion to review. The Honey Nectar lotion is one of the best fragrances I've ever smelled, and the formula is lightweight but deeply hydrates. I'm not a big honey fan, but the scent of the Honey Nectar moristurizer isn't so literal. It also features notes of brown sugar, candied almonds and warm vanilla milk. Unfortunately, the Honey Nectar lotion appears to be sold out online - but I recommend you track it down at your local Nordstrom store. The Hand & Body Lotion is also available in Neroli Clementine, Basil & Grape, Black Currant Iris and Sugar Rose Tiger Lily. Corresponding Hand & Body Washes are also Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives.

Clarisonic Mia, $149 ($189 value)
You've wanted a Clarisonic for, like, forever...and keep saying that you'll finally buy one if and when it goes on sale. Well, now's that time. Mia is the travel version of the original Clarisonic, so it has all of the benefits of the more expensive brush - like six times more makeup removal, better product absorbtion, smaller looking pores and fine lines. It also comes with a cute, pink travel bag. Available in Island Coral, Fuchsia, and Zebra print.

MAC Cine-Matics Face Brushes, $49.50 ($112 value)
Touch up your look with a fabulous foursome of short-handled face brushes packed in a stylish grey MAC bag with red trim. With Technicolor bristles, these are sure to take your close-ups to the next level. The set includes: 187 SE Duo Fiber Face Brush, 190 SE Foundation Brush, 168 SE Large Angled Contour Brush, 194 SE Concealer Brush, and a brush bag.

MAC Cine-Matics All-Over Brushes, $49.50 ($120 value)
Go from nominee to winner with a star-quality set of short-handled brushes for eyes and face. Packed in a chic zip bag, these five Technicolor talents are musts on red carpets and runways everywhere. The set includes: 129 SE Powder/Blush Brush, 227 SE Large Fluff Brush, 224 SE Tapered Blending Brush, 219 SE Pencil Brush, 266 SE Small Angle Brush, and a brush bag.

philosophy 'amazing grace' 3-piece super set, $70 ($137 value)
Feel like you're wearing a beautiful dress every day of the week. 'amazing grace' is philosophy's best-selling fragrance, designed to make a woman feel amazingly clean and beautifully feminine. The set includes 'amazing grace' perfumed shampoo, bath and shower gel (32 oz.); firming body emulsion (32 oz.) and body spritz (8 oz.). Layer the clean floral scent of 'amazing grace' as you cleanse in the shower or bath and, afterwards, as you moisturize your skin. Then surround yourself with a refreshing, perfumed body mist that lightly hydrates as it scents your skin for a full-body fragrance experience.

Hanae Mori Paris Butterfly Anniversary Set, $85 ($133 value)
If I didn't still have a full bottle of my beloved Hanae Mori Butterfly (it's my signature scent), I would be snagging this set. Butterfly is a rare blend of berries and flowers, with a distinctive tone of strawberries and almond, giving an impression of vanilla. This deluxe set contains the world-renowned Butterfly eau de parfum spray, take-anywhere shower gel and body cream (1.7 oz. each), as well as long-lasting, non-alcohol Butterfly deodorant (2.6 oz.). A 1.7 oz. bottle of Butterfly retails for more than the price of this set - so this is a real steal!

Prada 'Infusion d'Iris' Gift Set, $99 ($133 value)
Once again, I have a full bottle of this perfume (it's another one of my top 3 fragrances), so I won't be buying this set. On second thought, maybe I will. My mom is also a fan of this fragrance and I usually gift her with a similar set for Christmas - so perhaps I'll pick up her present extra early this year. Infusion d'Iris fuses tradition with idealism, creating a universe that every modern woman wants to be a part of. A floral citrus fragrance, Infusion d'Iris balances the clean fresh scent of the Iris Pallida with the subtlety of mandarin, creating a dream-like experience for the senses.

PHYTO 'Phytodéfrisant' Large Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, $31 ($39 value)
You know that elusive, salon perfect blowout that you can never seem to replicate at home? Now you can, thanks to the folks at Phyto. Phytodéfrisant Botanical Relaxing Balm is a heat-activated straightening balm that hydrates, fights frizz, and leaves hair touchably soft and silky smooth. Suitable for all hair types, the product has a light, gel-like consistency that won’t weigh hair down. Apply a silver dollar-sized dollop to towel dried tresses, comb through, and blow dry for sleek, professional looking results. Phytodéfrisant is so fabulous that you might just bid your flat iron farewell.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - Large Size, $36 ($39 value)
I'm kind of kicking myself for just having bought a bottle of this a month ago. It's my go-to summer moisturizer because it's light, doesn't aggrivate my sensitive skin, and doesn't leave my oily skin looking greasy. The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is also on sale, so I'll pick that up in preparation for the colder months ahead.

Donna Karan 'Cashmere Mist' Deodorant Trio, $32 ($54 value)
Cashmere Mist Deodorant is the best smelling deodorant, possibly, ever. Have I actually smelled every deodorant that ever was? Um, no...but I highly doubt that they could top Cashmere Mist. $32 may sound pricey for three deodorants. But, trust me, they are worth every penny. Buck up now and thank me later.

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Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

 

How obsessed am I with Clinique's new Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm? All eight shades have taken up permanent residency in the makeup bag I keep in my purse. These clever crayons (think of them as perfect hybrid of a lipstick and a gloss) moisturize with mango and shea butters while adding a hint of color and subtle sheen. Plus they never need a sharpener because they swivel up from the bottom - like a traditional balm.

Each of the shades is so ultra-flattering that you could buy any one of them - sight unseen - and it would look absolutely perfect on your pucker.

From left to right: Graped-Up, Super Strawberry, Woppin' Watermelon, Chunky Cherry,
Mega Melon, Fuller Fig, Whole Lotta Honey, Richer Raisin

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balms are available at Sephora, Clinique counters and clinique.com.

*Samples were provided by the brand for review.

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Makeup Mondays With Mario: Hold The Oil

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

My problem is that when the weather gets warmer, my face gets very oily. It seems that no matter what I do, my face always looks shiny/greasy - which embarasses me. Can you recommend any products or makeup tips that might help me keep my shine under control?

Thanks!!!!!
Scarlett


Hi Scarlett,

You can control your naturally dewy skin's shine using a few products and/techniques. Start out with an oil-free, light moisturizer (Daneen recommends Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel) all over, prior to makeup application. Let that set in a couple of minutes, then apply Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light by Smashbox. If your skin doesn't need much coverage, I'd skip the foundation altogether and instead use a concealer on spots. Try Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage concealers. Use a loose powder to set the face, making sure that it's free of shimmer and sparkle, of course. Try Priori loose powder. For touch ups throughout the day, use Tatcha Blotting Papers to absorb shine. I once learned a tip from a brilliant beauty blogger who's spoiled pretty - she uses a Starbucks napkin to absorb oils on the skin. It truly works! All the more reason to go to Starbucks! Oh and one more thing- don't feel embarrassed for having oily skin – it's the most effective anti- aging product and it's all yours!

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

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Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser

Lately, my skin has been uncharacteristically well-behaved. And so soft and smooth that I can't stop petting my face. I didn't know what to make of my enhanced complexion until I realized that I had recently switched up one element of my skincare routine.

After moving into my new house, I couldn't immediately locate my usual facial wash. So when I came across a long lost sample tube of Clinique's Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser, I decided to give it a whirl. And once I did, I was happy my old stuff went A.W.O.L. because I might have missed out on such a fabulous product.

Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser has a cream consistency that gently cleanses – leaving skin feeling moist, clean, and fresh. It's fragrance-free, but the subtle scent reminds me of Dove soap. As mild as it is on skin, it removes long-wearing makeup and sunscreens quickly and efficiently. Plus, it's also a great value; the concentrated formula is long-lasting and a little goes a long way.

I wish you could see/feel my face. It’s a true testament to the brilliance of this cleanser (I've awarded it 'holy grail' status). After washing my face with it, I moisturize with 2-3 pumps of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. And ever since I started this routine, my skin is like a dream.

Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser ($18.50) and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion ($24) are available at Sephora, your local Clinique counter, and clinique.com.

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